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Question

Can I downgrade a corrupted Windows 10 to Windows 8.1?

Apr 8, 2016 5:23AM PDT

My Windows 10 is corrupted. I'm having a hard time creating a recovery drive for it. I have a notebook with a Windows 8.1 OS and can easily create a recovery disk. Is it possible to downgrade using that recovery drive?

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Is the notebook the same as the corrupted computer?
Apr 8, 2016 6:28AM PDT

If they are both the same maker and model, I would think you could. Otherwise probably not.

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Answer
Re: recovery disk
Apr 8, 2016 6:29AM PDT

Very doubtful. A recovery disk for a laptop is customised to that particular laptop (with drivers and such), and it might even check so before it starts recovering.

You should be able to make a recovery drive (on USB or DvD) on any other PC. Google WINDOWS MEDIA CREATOR.

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Answer
I have HOPE!!
Apr 8, 2016 8:54AM PDT

My brother brought me two non-booting laptops. Both were running W10 but "something happened." No one would tell what so I was left with a mystery what happened but I'm 2 for 2 in bringing them back without having to order restore media so I'll share how.

Remember I don't have to worry about user files since those are on backups.

I used the Media Creation Kit advice from http://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-10-media-creation-tool-create-installation-media-upgrade

Specifically I had an 8GB USB stick and answered the question that it was for another PC then the Media Creation Kit downloaded W10 and made the bootable USB stick.

-> Now I booted this stick and used the reset this PC option without saving user files.

Both machines are now working great.

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I agreed,
Apr 8, 2016 12:03PM PDT

OP should give win10 another chance. It's corrupted..not that OP doesn't like win10.

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Answer
NOPE
Apr 8, 2016 10:19PM PDT

your notebooks 8.1 is oem and can never be transferred to another computer. If you downgrade, you will have to purchase a full retail version of the os you want to downgrade to.

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Answer
Best Place to reinstall windows 8
Apr 10, 2016 5:46AM PDT

Yes Bro you can easily downgrade from windows 10 to windows 8 . Below are some steps you must perform to doing that
1: Download the yumi multiboot usb
2: Now Download the windows 8 ISO File
3 NOw using above yumi usb multi boot to install the windows 8.

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Answer
You can't take an OEM Windows 8.1 and
Apr 10, 2016 1:38PM PDT

install on a different PC. Windows 8.1 won't activate. You best bet is to download Windows 10 from the Media Creation site for Windows 10 and attempt a repair.